Review of Laurel Canyon (2003) by Andy F — 24 Jul 2004

[b]Starring[/b] Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Alessandro Nivola, Natasha McElhone & The Folk Implosion [b]Written & Directed by[/b] Lisa Cholodenko.

Frances McDormand is probably the greatest actress working in cinema right now. She is unforgettable in unforgettable films. And as this movie proves, she's also unforgettable in forgettable films.

Sam (Bale) and Alex (Beckinsale) are a soon-to-be-wed couple who move to Los Angeles because Same must attend medical school. They go to a place called Laurel Canyon, where Sam's mom Jane (a record producer), has a house that is vacant because she is staying at her beach house. That is not the case when they arrive. Sam's mom (McDormand)is there, along with a band she is producing a record for. They are greeted at the door to a room full of marijuana smoke, with Alex's first impression of her mother in-law a childish one.

Sam isn't surprised at the behavior. He feels like he's been a father to his mother all of his life, never developing a good relationship with her. He didn't want Alex to be introduced to this environment, but she was, and this begins to change her drastically. But what Sam doesn't know is that he will soon change as well when he meets Sara (McElhone) at medical school. As the story goes on the usual and tired sequences occur, with McDormand being the only shining light most of the way. It's another diverse and daring role for her.

Some of the dialogue is smart and interesting, keeping my interest some of the way. But overall, the film has long stints of confused direction and short stints of intelligence. I really tried and tried to like this film, but even McDormand can't save a film with a horrible conclusion.

Rated R - 1 hour, 43 minutes (review written on 5/8/2003).